Last Wednesday, we told you our quick take on Juno Baby's line of educational entertainment products for kids (the long and short: cute, cool, and engaging). Adam Adleman, one of the founders of Juno Baby, took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to answer some questions: more ›

Tonight you can see a free performance of Rigoletto broadcast live both on the civic center plaza and in the Frost Amphitheater at Stanford, starting at 8pm. more ›

This week's offerings represent the Bay Area's diversity. If that's too PC for you, go for the ones with a touch of taboo. more ›

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The atmosphere knob was turned all the way to "party" Saturday night at the Civic Center. We stopped by at the Madame Butterfly simulcast 15 minutes before tip-off, and found the square full of a joyful crowd. Where a few saw a half-empty glass of cool, windy weather and stayed home, quite many -- by the opera's count, there were 8,000 people -- saw an opportunity: no need to bring ice to chill the chardonnay. We were fortunate to have a toasty seat waiting for us inside the War Memorial Opera House, but this was a huge success, and we can safely predict more of these events in the future. As always, check out Civic Center for coverage of the plaza. David Gockley, in a few introductory words, reminded us that the first production of the Opera, in 1922, was held outside, at Stanford stadium in front of 15,000. Were they allowed to bring wine there too? more ›

If you ever wished to stand up and stretch, or God forbid, leave, in the middle of attending an opera, the SF Opera is there for you. They don't provide you with concerts you want to run away from, but with a bunch of casual opportunities to appreciate the lyrical arts al fresco. They have a concert in Stern Grove (July 30th), they have the annual Opera in the Park in Sharon Meadows in the Golden Gate Park (September 10th). But those are mid-day, bring-your-sun-screen, let's-see-nature, mix-and-match-your-arias performances. It's fun, but it is not a whole opera, where you can follow the story from beginning to tragic end. more ›